Amazing Aged Animals At War In Finals

POSTED Apr 25, 2012
By
Frank Cotolo

The George
Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series Final gathers some of the fastest elder
stalwarts in its field in a long time. In this year’s legs there have been a
few domineering males and although they may have met two at a time in certain
divisions, not all of the best were showcased until the April 28 final, worth
$445,000 at Yonkers Raceway.

Also that night is the $297,000 final of the Blue Chip
Matchmaker.

At Cal-Expo,
TwinSpires-Cal-Expo’s exclusive no-takeout Pick 4 gets another massage on April
27. And there are more poised profits on our horses-to-watch list (H2W).

Levy’s Last Stand

The April 21 “Levy”final has drawn with what could be
serious consequences for some of the heavier contenders.

Real Nice and Foiled Again drew post positions 7 and 8,
respectively. These are rugged posts on the New York half mile, especially for
two of the series’ best performers.

There is also a $100,000 Levy consolation and a $50,000
Levy-eligible event on the program.

Gingras and Foiled Again will have work to do to from post
8. Foiled Again, twice a series champion (2009 and 2010) and finished third to
Real Nice in last season's renewal. Now they are one post behind the defending
champion.

Gingras said, “It's my job to get him the best trip I can”
while discussing the matter with Yonkers publicity whiz Frank Drucker.

Foiled Again, an eight-year-old gelding co-owned by Ron
Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables, began his season with a second-place
finish to Real Nice in the opening round of this series.

He then reeled off three consecutive scores. He took one
week off (April 15) and in the final goes after his 62nd win in his
150th start. He is coupled in the wagering with millionaire Atochia
and is the 6-5 morning-line choice.

“(Foiled Again) has come back great, Gingras said., “There's
a long season on his schedule, and the Levy is an important race. He's had to
overcome bad posts and bad trips before, so why wouldn't I be confident?”

Gingras, who won his 4,000th race this past Sunday afternoon
at Harrah's Chester, admitted he was hoping to draw the rail for the final.

“I don't know what's going to happen [Saturday] but I
wouldn't trade my horse for anyone in the race.”

An upset
here is no guarantee but since you can make a case for all in the field there
could be a good price on hand. We like Blatently Good from the rail. Once this
guy gets the lead it will be hard for him to lose it. With the two probable
favorites drawing the outside, he could control the quarters. Certainly driver
Brennan is no stranger to pulling off a trip like that.

Strand
Hanover has been the closest competitor to Real Nice this entire series. Since
he draws inside of his foe this week, he has an advantage which could turn into
a major knockout punch.

In the
Levy consolation, Razzle Dazzle returns from a serious win, having gone first
over from post 7 to control the stretch drive very easily. He should have
another simple time of it here.

Sea
Venture raced well from post 8 and returns to the inside. He may be overlooked
in the betting and could upset at a price.

In the
event for Levy-eligibles, Reibercrombie gets another shot at winning with a
decent price. He raced very well last time but was parked on the outside of
Strand Hanover and quit badly. With post 3 in this group, he should be in the
top three.

Foreign
Officer is on the outside but was productive last week from post 8 and went a
decent first-over mile. As long as he attempts to close here, he could upset.

Rocklamation
may once again hurl a big mile from off of a blistering pace. Although she has
been strong in the series, Western Silk, See You At Peelers and Anndrovette
will likely take heavy money, leaving out Ron Burke’s late-speeding gal.

In the consolation, Symphony In Motion, the Cape & Cutter champ, has had
some problems since that victory. She should be acclimated to the half-mile
action now and may be prepped to upset if she gets the trip.

Cal Exotic

The April 27 no-takeout Pick 4 at Cal-Expo is the last four races of the
program,from 11 through 14. Last week
turned out to be a puzzler, with what we figured were easy toss-outs winning
over our highly competitive but failing contenders. That’s behind us now, so
here are, with comments, our choices this week for your consideration.

Leg 1
(1) Doit By The Clock won closing well last week and could get a good price to
repeat considering there are some in here that the public should give more
chances than they deserve. (5) Arch Nemesis broke last week while supported
well enough and he came back to cash a minor check. With straight steering he
could upset.

Leg 2
(6) RW Island Spirit has been sitting on a big mile and this group is poor
enough to give him a shot at getting that victory. It is a tough single but
this is a race we would gladly pass were it not in the mix, so let’s go with
him. .

Leg 3
(2) Jeano took the show spot last time at 32-1 and a comfortable ground-saving
ride here could be cause for major improvement. The rest are so poor that we cannot
even tell you which one will get favorite status. The 4 maybe, even though she
tanked as the choice last week?

Leg 4
(1) Village Benjamin suffered some broken gear along the route and was hampered
greatly as a 2-1 shot, finishing seventh. (4) Hey Scoob could not keep up the
pace he set and was caught but may ration that speed to make more out of it in
this group. (5) Devilish Donnie was the public choice and finished third; he
more enjoys winning when he isn’t so favored.

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